Our view: Prompt action taken to fix barracks access

Saturday

Nov 30, 2013 at 2:01 AM

Last week the lobby area of the Troop D State Police barracks in Danielson was re-opened to the public. It had been closed for more than two months, leaving residents of the area who needed assistance with routine police matters out in the cold -- literally.

The closure of the lobby was a result of the departmentís consolidation of dispatching operations, however, the problem with lobby access was isolated to the Danielson barracks.

Prior to the dispatching operations move to the Troop C barracks in Tolland, town officials and residents were assured that the lobby area would only be closed during overnight hours -- but that didnít prove to be the case.

We raised that issue with state police officials in both a front page news story and editorial after receiving several complaints from residents as well as our own frustration in obtaining routine police blotter information.

Needless to say, we are pleased that officials took those concerns seriously and acted promptly in correcting the problem, at least on a temporarily basis while officials determine if a better system can be implemented.

The decision to consolidate dispatching operations has been criticized, particularly by the state police union. The problem with gaining access to the Danielson barracks after the fact did little to instill the publicís and town officialsí confidence that the consolidation was a wise move.

The consolidation of dispatching operations is both a cost savings move and an effort to increased community presence. The department is able to put troopers on the roads without an increasing the departmentís budget, a more efficient and effective means of providing our region with the level of public safety it deserves.

However, with fewer troopers actually present at the barracks, open and unfettered access to the lobbies also creates a public safety concern, and one that needed to be taken seriously.

We have supported the consolidation plan and remain confident that department officials will establish a workable protocol that serves both the needs of the public and the safety of troopers.